Atopic eczema, also referred to as dermatitis, is an inflammatory chronic skin disease that commonly develops in childhood. This condition ranges from birth to 12 years old and affects both genders equally. Atopic eczema affects people of all ages but children in particular. The prevalence rate for atopic eczema is around 15–20% in children and 2–10% in adults (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network [SIGN], 2011), and accounts for 30% of all dermatological consultations in primary care (Shamssain, 2007).
In this article, dermatology specialist nurse, Julie Van Onselen looks at the different types of scalp eczema and offers guidance on ways of treating this often intractable condition
Acknowledgements and further information
Reproduced with kind permission from the NES: This article first appeared in Exchange - National Eczema Society Members Magazine, Issue 137 pp16-18, Sept 2010.
National Eczema Society factsheets on seborrhoeic dermatitis in adults and cradle cap and seborrhoeic dermatitis in children can be downloaded free, along with all other NES resources from the Healthcare Professional area of www.eczema.org . Also http://www.dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/seborrhoeic-dermatitis.html.
Julie Van Onselen BA (Hons), RGN, RSCN, Dip N is a Dermatology Nurse with Oxfordshire PCT and an independent consultant at JVO Consultancy Education in Dermatology
Article accepted for publication: November 2010
